I didn't notice the extra length in a tandem - it handled like a regular bike - except when clearing humps in the road, like those very small speed humps. You are right about braking though - anticipation will be the name of your game. Good to have disc brakes

Given that the whole purpose of a big dummy is to haul cargo, I suspect you will notice the width, the wieght and the balance, especially if the weight distribution is up high or out wide.

The one shown at the top seems to have almost no rake from what I can see. That will make it inclined to want to NOT stay on a straight course. Fine for track racing but not ideal for lazy cruising, while the length would otherwise make for an easy ride.

ColinOldnCranky wrote:The one shown at the top seems to have almost no rake from what I can see.

Col, you're right in saying that it has straight forks... but if you hold a small ruler up to your screen - in line with the headtube - you will see that the fork blades are angled forward enough to give the bike enough rake to have a good amount of positive trail. Trail is what keep the bike pointing straight ahead.

ColinOldnCranky wrote:The one shown at the top seems to have almost no rake from what I can see.

Col, you're right in saying that it has straight forks... but if you hold a small ruler up to your screen - in line with the headtube - you will see that the fork blades are angled forward enough to give the bike enough rake to have a good amount of positive trail. Trail is what keep the bike pointing straight ahead.

find_bruce wrote:Given that the whole purpose of a big dummy is to haul cargo...

This is a Yuba Mundo, but it is similar:.

I was looking for a video I saw of the Yuba Mondo, from the above photo URL, and noticed that there is a guy in the photo sitting on the ground as if he has been dumped. I cant blame the Yuba Mondo owner, really

I have one, minor bit of advice: keep your load as low as you can. I've commuted on my home made tandem (which looks to have a similar wheelbase to the big dummy) and putting heavy stuff high towards the back (like, say, a backpack in the kids seat area) can induce some pretty solid shimmying on out of the saddle climbs. Panniers are best I think, mounted as far inside the wheel base as you can manage.

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I have an old mtb with the Xtracycle kit that the Big Dummy is compatible with. I use it a couple of times a week to commute on and do the grocery shopping with on the way home from work.

The few things I've noticed:

Don't try to race up hill. On the flat it is fine, and it loves downhills. If you can find a gradual sloping road with no traffic, it can be a fun bike to 'carve' turns across the slope. But as soon as you hit an uphill, you'll notice the extra weight, even unloaded.

Always load your cargo on the side that has the kickstand first. Otherwise its very embarrassing at the shops when your fruit tries to run away from you as your bike tips over.

Get used to some interesting looks and questions from people

As for riding technique, the basic mechanical disc brakes work quite well on my bike, you won't get up to a high speed to worry too much.

You'll find the Big Dummy a bit stiffer than just an MTB with Xtracycle add-on, the gearing also set up for cargo work, the ride really smooth once you remember that any bumps that your front wheel rides over takes a tad longer to connect with your rear wheel. You'll probably start looking for a double kickstand and the wideloader horizontal racks, just always remember that when these racks are on that your turning corners on the bikepath and negotiating the metal poles at path end is a little more complicated. You'll start to find yourself drifting to the bungee cord sections in the hardware stores and auto shops. After that you start to realise in your various trips about the place "hey, I can carry that". And it goes on from there.

i ocassionally buy tram cards for portgaging duties, and felt uncomfortable being full on wayback from pizza house--> always wish to bring a quarter of large pizza home instead of chucking it into my mouth....i bet this bike will bring a lot of ease and joy. i hope i'll get it this september

i just built mine up with the kids today - running full Xt group, brooks saddle, jones J-bar, mavic 26" 29 rims, big apples.... went for a test ride around the yard a moment ago (again and again an again). I cant get the grin off my face.... technique ?? dont fall off (i did, in the shed...before i even got to the backyard.. seat too high).

Big Dummy+Titec J Bars+BRooks saddle = falling in love all over again !!!!